'Befikre': Winning alliance of Bollywood, Parisian spirit

Mumbai, Dec 13 (IANS) Opportunities for increased collaborations between France and Bollywood are being looked at following the release of “Befikre”, which incorporated and promoted Lido de Paris cabaret, Bateaux Parisiens cruises and the French tourism board, Atout France in its narrative.
Together, they hosted a launch party on December 9 here, where officials from Lido de Paris, Bateaux Parisiens, Atout France and several leading tour operators such as Cox and Kings, Thomas Cook and World of Wonders, graced the event and discussed ways in which collaborations can happen more extensively.
The talks were especially around how the Indian film industry can use the beautiful and world-renowned locations in France as their shooting locations, read a statement. “Befikre”, directed by Aditya Chopra, has been entirely in France. A love story of two people – Dharam (Ranveer Singh) and Shyra (Vaani Kapoor), it was filmed for about 55 days in Paris, in Picardy, a French region, north of Paris, and in Cannes, on the French Riviera.
“Lido de Paris is so well known in India that the first place the production team, when scouting for locations, visited was the Lido show in Paris and they really wanted to shoot the movie on our stage.
“It was a great experience for us also as the dancers and entire Lido team participated in the shooting and it was a big pleasure to work with Ranveer Singh and Vaani Kapoor,” said Sabine Sakthikumar, Sales Director, Sodexo Group. Established on the famous Champs Elysées almost 70 years ago, Lido de Paris is the most reputed Parisian cabaret with graceful dancers, radiant costumes and elegant attractions.
Parts of the film were also shot notably on the Bateaux Parisiens cruise operated on the Seine River at the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
“The cruise at Bateaux Parisiens embarks from the Eiffel Tower, followed by the museum d’Orsay and then you head to Notre Dame of Paris. It is an ideal way to discover the city,” said Arnaud Daniel, Director of Operations, Bateaux Parisiens.
“Bollywood is the most important form of entertainment for the Indian people so we hope when millions of people will see the movie, it would be a good visibility and opportunity for Bateaux Parisiens and Lido de Paris,” Sakthikumar added.
Atout France was part of the film right from its inception and started working with the Yash Raj Films banner to showcase various locations and landscapes to be included in the film.
“Besides being carefree, the French spirit is also to live on your own terms and this is what the French philosophy embodies, and ‘Befikre’ manifests that in a beautiful way”, said Sheetal Munshaw, Director, Atout France – India.
“Now there are many other producers who are looking at how France can be showcased on 70 mm,” Munshaw said. At the event, Atout France also showcased a video message by Ranveer, where he shifted the spotlight to the fact that France is much more than the Eiffel Tower.